Page 111 of Get Undressed With Me

“Lingerie. All of my audience is constantly looking for good bras, underwear, anything that looks good under their outfits and makes them feel sexy with their partner. It feels right.”

“Champagne has never done a lingerie line.”

“Don’t you often tell me that people don’t know what they want until you tell them?”

Kathleen nodded, somehow her own words being the best argument against her, which Brittany had anticipated. She handed the sketchbook back.

“Send me some digital files, and I’ll see what I can sell them on.”

Brittany blew out a breath, tense. She knew what she wanted to say, and also knew this could go really, really poorly.

“Actually, Mom, I want to talk about that.”

“About what?”

“About you stepping back as my manager.”

Kathleen visibly froze in her perusal of the condo, turning with the elegance of a predator to eye Brittany. It was one of her most intimidating looks, but Brittany had had a lot of time to think about this at the hospital, and she knew it was the right move.

Even if this conversation was going to suck.

“What do you mean?” Kathleen asked, not blinking. Brittany set her shoulders.

“I mean, I don’t think this is working. We’re always tense, always on the verge of a fight. I’m tired of not feeling good enough for you when all I’m trying to do is something I love. Plus, frankly, I miss my mom. I want to keep business out of our relationship.”

“You’re firing me.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes.”

They stared at each other then, and Brittany put every emotion she could in her eyes, willing her mother to understand what she was trying to say.

“I only wanted what was best,” she said. “I wanted to be sure you would be set up and that no one would take advantage of you.”

“You did. I promise. If I need anything, I’ll ask. But you’re still fired.”

Finally, Kathleen nodded. “Fine. But you still have to answer my phone calls.”

“Always, Mom.”

Kathleen wasn’t a hugger, so she merely nodded again and fiddled with her purse. But Brittany was happy. The relief that she could untangle their relationship, remove the business component and instead focus on being a family, was palpable. She felt Gus put an arm around her, squeezing her shoulder.

“Now, you can take me to breakfast and explain exactly why you thought it was a good idea to sleep with your bodyguard.”

Okay, maybe they weren’t all the way out of the woods. But they were getting there.

CHAPTER 27

GUS

Brittany’s mom was out for blood, and really, Gus couldn’t blame her. She had done what she could to keep her only daughter safe, and still Brittany had been attacked on Gus’s watch. She wouldn’t trust him anytime soon. They all talked for over an hour, explaining how Gus had come to be assigned to Brittany, the lead up to the attack, and the details of the aftermath. Kathleen asked many questions, blunt but clearly concerned about her daughter’s safety. When she was finally satisfied with the details, Kathleen went to settle into her hotel room, warning Brittany that she wanted to have dinner to discuss the Champagne sketches further. Brittany agreed, seeming relieved that her mom was willing to go the underwear route with her.

After Kathleen left, Gus knew Brittany needed a break and took her to the Polka Dot for a coffee and terrible scone. They had just settled into their table when a voice called his name. He turned to find Robbie standing there, holding up his hands as if to ward off attack.

“Don’t yell at me. I was getting coffee and saw you here. I heard what happened.”

Gus wasn’t sure where Robbie was going with this, but this was his brother. He had to give him a chance. He met Robbie’s eyes and gave him a small nod.

“You two are okay?” Robbie looked back and forth between Gus and Brittany.

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